Atty. Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla: Distinguished Dean of the School of Law at MLQU

Manuel L. Quezon University proudly introduces Atty. Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla as the Dean of its prestigious School of Law. With over three decades of experience as a Senior Partner at SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan, one of the Philippines’ leading law firms, Atty. Lotilla has made significant contributions in the fields of corporate work, international banking and finance, securities, foreign investments, and infrastructure projects. His expertise spans across structuring banking investment deals, trade and project finance, securitization, and international trade and shipping transactions.

As a banking and finance lawyer, Atty. Lotilla garnered exceptional recognition, earning the distinction of being the sole Band 1 Philippine Lawyer for several years, as rated by Chambers and Partners. His unparalleled expertise in the field led him to serve as a resource expert for the Committee on Economic Affairs of Congress, where he contributed to the crafting of important legislations, such as the Securitization Law and the Special Purpose Asset Vehicle Law.

Atty. Lotilla’s illustrious career extended into government service, where he held the positions of Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Undersecretary for Civil Aviation at the Department of Transportation (DOTr). In these roles, he provided expert guidance on administrative law, contracts, transportation regulations, and international civil aviation treaties. He also served as the alternate Chairperson for the DOTr Secretary in several key government bodies, including the Toll Regulatory Board and the Manila International Airport Authority.

Currently, Atty. Lotilla is the Executive Director of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), playing a pivotal role in advancing the legal profession. Apart from his leadership at MLQU, he has imparted his knowledge as a professor of law at esteemed institutions such as San Sebastian College of Law, the University of the Philippines College of Law, and Lyceum of the Philippines. His longstanding involvement with the Philippine Bar Association as a member of the Board of Trustees further underscores his commitment to the legal community.

Atty. Lotilla’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ateneo De Manila University, where he was an Insular Life Educational Foundation Scholar, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines College of Law. He has pursued further studies abroad, attending specialized courses on International Development Law (Rome), International Trade Law (Oxford), and Law of the World Trade Organization (Georgetown University, Washington).

In recognition of his legal acumen, Atty. Lotilla was appointed as a Commercial Law Examiner during the 2022 Bar Examinations. His extensive experience, both in the legal field and in academia, brings a wealth of knowledge to the MLQU School of Law, preparing the next generation of legal professionals to excel in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Under Atty. Lotilla’s leadership, MLQU’s School of Law continues its tradition of excellence, cultivating future lawyers who will rise to the challenges of the modern legal profession.